What Happened Next: The Evening Led By Donkeys Beamed Images of Trump and Epstein on to Windsor Castle
When plans were revealed for Donald Trump’s upcoming official trip, including a Windsor Castle banquet on September 17th, 2025, the activist collective Led By Donkeys felt compelled to ensure it did not go without a statement. The act of offering a lavish welcome was viewed as especially servile. Their next creative protest proceeded with precision.
A Deliberate Message
The group produced a nine-minute film detailing Donald Trump’s relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Its ending stated: “The commander-in-chief of the United States was a long-time close friend of America’s most notorious sex offender. His name is said to be referenced, repeatedly, in the files related to the criminal probe into Epstein … Now that president, Donald Trump, is sleeping here in Windsor Castle.” (For his part, Trump has stated he ended his friendship with Epstein long prior to Epstein’s initial legal troubles and has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.)
Preparations and Execution
The activists had booked rooms in the nearby Harte and Garter hotel, which boast “castle view” and, more crucially, superior castle views, said a co-founder, Ben Stewart. Their equipment included a powerful 32,000-lumen projector. For audio, Stewart placed a wireless speaker, concealed inside a cereal box, on top of a public rubbish bin outside.
International press had gathered, staring at the castle, growing restless as Trump was delayed. The film, however, gained traction globally. “Although the still pictures of Epstein and Trump went viral online,” Stewart says, “I doubt that persuades anyone of anything – it just makes Trump uneasy. Our documentary provides viewers something tangible to share, implying: ‘There’s something significant to look at here.’ It was an act of activist journalism about Trump and Epstein, and it was viewed 20m times.”
The Reveal
It started with the official Windsor Castle logo. “Projecting onto a cylindrical building needs some technical calibration,” Stewart explains. “So there’s this royal crest. The police likely thought: ‘Ah, that’s nice – the royal family,’ and then abruptly a massive image of Jeffrey Epstein appears. A wave of shock passed through the officers nearby, and the police raced into the hotel.”
Not Their First Protest
This was not their inaugural action; it wasn’t even their first action targeting Trump. Back in 2018, while working for Greenpeace, Stewart had flown a paraglider near the resort where the president was staying during a visit to Turnberry. The following year, police visited him that any repeat, they couldn’t guarantee.
Confrontation with Police
However, the activists weren't especially worried about detainment. “My nervous energy goes into wanting the protest works,” says Oliver Knowles, another co-founder. “Once the police arrive, the message is already out.” Officers was rapid, reaching the hotel in under three minutes, highly agitated, he remembers. “Wearing jumpsuits and caps. They’d finally found the culprits. They charged up the stairs; they were briefed; they were on a mission to safeguard the guest. Thankfully, no guns. But they were extremely tense when they entered the room. I had to say: ‘We should keep this calm.’”
Stalling multiple police officers for six minutes. The fact that they were unsure which law to charge anyone. When they finally entered the room, “a policeman began reciting a section of the Town and Country Planning Act, before another asked him to stop because it wasn’t right.” Knowles and three other team members were subsequently detained for malicious communication, a law related to harassment. “The law is precise: its purpose is to address a serious offence. Applying it to a piece of journalism, displayed on a wall, to protect the reputation of the president, appeared contrary to the intent of the legislation,” Stewart remarks pointedly. As his colleagues were arrested, he melted into the crowd, shortly thereafter was on a train out of Windsor, calling lawyers.
A Second Arrest and Questioning
Later that night, as the detainees sat in cells at Maidenhead police station, officers came in and arrested them again, now for public nuisance, deeming it more likely to succeed. During interrogation, the only officers available were from the child protection squad – an irony which was palpable, given the focus of the protest concerned Jeffrey Epstein. The activists just answered all queries with: “No comment.” Shortly after starting the interview, police presented a photograph: “They asked, did you take the drawer from this bedside table?’ ‘No comment.’ ‘Mr Knowles, do you know anyone who may have had cause to take the drawer?’ ‘No comment.’ I anticipated what was coming: a picture of a giant projector, secured to four drawers. Then, the detectives struggled to maintain their composure.”
The Outcome
Just over one month later, all charges were dropped.
